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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Odis Smith was killed while assisting a McCloud constable transport a suspect he had arrested. The constable had arrested a hitchhiker carrying a 30-30 Winchester rifle who was AWOL from an Air Force base in Kansas. The constable contacted Deputy Smith at his home to assist him in transporting the suspect to the county jail. Neither officer had noticed a .25 automatic pistol the suspect was carrying in a shoulder holster. The constable drove to Shawnee with the deputy and prisoner in the back seat with his hands handcuffed in front of him. One mile east of Dale, on Highway 270, the suspect drew the weapon and shot Deputy Smith four times in the chest, leg, and shoulders. The constable's car left the roadway and crashed, allowing the subject to jump out. Deputy Smith got out of the wrecked police car and tried to pursue the man but collapsed in the roadway. A passing vehicle struck the deputy and dragged his body 30 feet before stopping. The subject surrendered to the constable at the scene. The man was convicted of Deputy Smith's murder and sentenced to life in prison, but paroled after serving only 14 years. In August 2017 the man was arrested in North Carolina and charged with six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Survivors
Deputy Smith was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Smith served with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Shawnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Odis is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Odis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Odis is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 2 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
February holds 7.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Odis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
